Rwanda shuts critical papers in run-up to presidential vote

New York, April 13, 2010—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns today’s decision by Rwanda’s
Media
High Council to suspend two independent weeklies just months prior to
presidential elections. At a press conference, attended only by state
broadcasters and the pro-government radio station Contact FM, the Media High
Council announced an immediate six month suspension of private vernacular
weeklies, Umuseso and Umuvugizi.

The council accused Umuseso
of insulting the head of state, inciting the police and army to insubordination,
and creating fear among the public, council official Wilson Karamaga told CPJ. The
council, a nominally independent body heavily influenced by the government, did
not link these accusations to any particular article in Umuseso and did not specify the reasons for the suspension of Umuvugizi, local journalists said. Umuseso and Umuvugizi may challenge the council’s suspensions in court, he said.

The six-month suspension will ensure both independent papers
are unable to cover the presidential elections scheduled for August. Both papers
are known for critical coverage of the ruling party, the Rwanda Patriotic
Front.

“By silencing these two local-language newspapers the Media
High Council is robbing Rwanda voters of crucial alternative voices during the
presidential election campaign,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Tom Rhodes
said. “The ruling is a thinly disguised attempt at censorship. If the election
is to be seen as free and fair, the council must reverse this ruling and ensure
that all media are able to cover the campaign.”

The duration of the suspension raises questions as well. The
council can legally suspend a weekly publication for a maximum of two weeks
unless the paper is seen as a repeat offender. Umuseso Deputy EditorDidas
Gasana said the paper has never been suspended before and should not face a
six-month suspension under the law.